I’ve been watching for years as those plain builder’s grade oak cabinets have been painted all over blogland. And I still get a little gleeful when I see those beautiful After shots. There’s nothing sacred about builder’s grade oak, so if you have them and they make you crazy, here’s another great kitchen that just might push you over the edge.
Pssst, you can paint that oak. Yes, really!
Just look at what Erin (who is a Wanna-Be Decorator) has done in her beautifully redone kitchen. When she sent me an email showing off her kitchen, I knew it would be perfect to share with all of you. Y’all love Before and Afters as much as I do, I know!
Of course, this is the Before.
You’ve seen these cabinets all across America. Yep, builder’s love ’em. Erin brought in her great grandmother’s little table as an island to help give it a vintage feel. That wasn’t enough. Cue the white paint. And throw in a little granite on the countertops. 
And you have an instantly lighter and brighter vibe in this vintagey kitchen. It just sings now, don’t you think?
Sleek granite replaced the old formica. New bin pulls and knobs in a beautiful bronze tone really accent those white cabinets. 
She added a pretty striped rug and painted her great grandmother’s table.
This is cute Erin enjoying her new space. I sure don’t blame her for that.
She’s definitely got the WOW factor going on now. 
Check out her genius old vintage ladder turned decorative hanger. Not exactly a pot hanger, but I love how she stacked these cute old boxes and baskets on top. 
Perfect accent in her soaring ceilings. I love that Kitchen sign too.
So, I hope you will take a note from this if you have some oak cabinets that just drive you bonkers. Painting them could be just the ticket to liven up your space too.
Do you… have oak you are dying to paint?
What are you waiting for?
Wow! Yes there have been a lot of white painted kitchen redos but Erin’s is truly special. She did a fantastic job! Love the ladder and all the little touches she added.
No oak here, but 1986 dark cherry….I will be painting them, probably white up top and a color down bottom….here’s the before
http://ourhouseinpictures.blogspot.com/2010/12/break-out-crayons.html
I love Erin’s kitchen…she has such great taste!
Charming! Really nice and such an amazing change. She has great ideas and taste!
I love white kitchens. Erin did an excellent job. The pot rack, island, and pulls give it a really cute vintage feel. Thanks for sharing, Rhoda!
So pretty in the after! I have a ladder just like that that I’ve wanted to use in my kitchen but I don’t have anywhere it can hang…sigh. Love the two tones on the painted walls as well. Lovely!
Wonderful transformation! I love seeing the Southern Living at HOME and Willow House products, too. 🙂
What a gorgeous room! Erin did a fabulous job. I love the granite she chose with the white cabinets. That island is to die for and ties the whole look together. I have solid oak cabinetry and have been wanting to paint or restain it. I can’t decide which.
Hi Rhoda-
I love seeing before and afters especially when they come out as well as Erin’s. She knows how to put it all together. The shiny granite against the ruff hewn rack – it all comes together beautifully. I love the photo of her with her apron on, too – a perfecly coordinated look for when she is working in her kitchen.
My best- Diane
Love, love, love it! I can’t wait until my hubby and I buy our home so that I can do the white cabinet look. I have always loved it. The reds and yellows are my colors too!
Oh, now I have kitchen envy!! I have oak cabinets but not builder grade. My Mother lived in my house before she built a house on the farm, so we are neighbors (although I can’t see her house from mine) well, she had the cabinets built and they were very expensive. I just don’t know when I am going to have the heart to tell her that I want something different than oak cabinets. She really loved the oak cabinets, Hey maybe I can show her this kitchen makeover!!
I love what she did to her kitchen. The French Country style is so pretty, and I love all her personal touches, such as Grandma’s table and the ladder. Fantastic job!
Jane
frugalfineliving.com
Awesome! We are in the process of painting our cabinets too! It’s so nice to see that I am not the only one who despises this builder grade cabinets! Way to go Erin!
She knocked this one right out of the park. Amazing!
Mr. Goodwill Hunting
I just did the exact same thing to my cabinets last month & I have no regrets!! They turned out just beautiful! Love the transformation of Erin’s kitchen…really like that old vintage table she got from her grandma too! Such a great idea to use it as an island!
http://loveoffamilyandhome.blogspot.com/2010/12/kitchen-remodel-ii.html
Her kitchen is stunning. Love the high ceilings and the white cabinets are fabulous. The ladder is amazing. What a great idea. Hugs, Marty
Hi Rhoda! Thank you so much for posting Erin’s kitchen. What a big difference a little paint can make! I just adore white painted cabinets in a kitchen. Love her granny’s little table as an island too!
Hope you’re doing well and staying warm.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
Beautiful transformation! Thank you for sharing with us. Love the arches and angels in that space. I don’t have oak that I’m dying to paint but I do have a too-yellowy factory painted finish that I want pure white. Does that count? lol
Happy Friday!
Jami
WOW; it looks amazing & I love the ladder idea!!!
That is just beautiful! What a fantastic job she did. That kitchen is gorgeous! Any chance Erin would share what color paint she used?